The Performance Car Show: 2014 Preview

Posted on: 07/01/2014

The Performance Car Show rolls into the NEC for four days on Jan 9th and quite a show it’s lining up to be. Big in every sense of the word, the 80,000 attendee’s to last year’s show created over a £Billion in new business and this year, they’re looking to top that.

Accompanying Sky’s David Croft, The Gadget Show’s ridiculously hot petrol-head, Pollyanna Woodward is set to preside over the show’s 5,000-seat Live Action Arena, as Autocar displays its Britain’s Best Driver’s Cars, including the Porsche 911 GT3, Aston Martin V12 Vantage S and Jaguar F-TYPE V6S. The indoor arena will also showcase a variety of stunts and wheel-to-wheel motor racing action. Ever-popular Celebrity Karting and even some Japanese drifters… what’s not to like?

Advertised highlights that we’re looking forward to include the new Aston Martin 5.9 Litre Vanquish V12, the 211mph Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, the 5 litre supercharged Jaguar XKRS GT, one of only 20 McLaren 12C GT Sprints and the electric Tesla Model S, all appearing on this year’s Autocar Stand. There will also be the standard look back through history, including a rebuilt classic Lotus F1 and a plethora of drivers, past and present to lean on for autographs, such as Sir Stirling Moss, John Surtees and Mario Andretti are scheduled to be there.

Both Vauxhall and Abarth will present UK first showings, with the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS and Abarth 595 50th Anniversary Edition unveiled to the public. Caterham will showcase its AeroSeven Concept, while Porsche will reveal the all-new Porsche Type 991 911 GT3 Cup, as well as the latest road-going version of the 911 GT3. The Zenos E10 featured on Top Gear will also be there.

Hold on to your hats, but one of last year’s highlights, the German/UK co-pro Central-engined Sin R1 race car is making another appearance on the back of a promising first year competing and, word is, it’s also spawning a road-going version. Featuring an FIA-homologated Pro Formance space frame chassis, sporting a 500bhp Chevvy V8 engine, with six-speed Graziano box, 19-inch rims, 362mm disc brakes and a Formula One-style fuel tank, all coming in at just 1,200kg, the new supercar is set to enter limited production later this year.

Of particular interest to us will be the launch of Carbon Revolution’s first one-piece carbon fibre wheel (check it on youtube), scheduled to enter production this month. Revolutionary might well be the right word, as these rims are set to reduce the weight of a set of four by up to 50% over their ally equivalents, something not to be taken lightly… Lambo, Audi and McLaren are eyeing them up for their latest marques.

Adult tickets start at £31 and children’s tickets from £20 (children under five go free) and group tickets are also available. Paddock passes are available from £41, with VIP tickets £110. You know you want to.

Paddock Passes include general admission, plus access to the Driver Signing Area, where visitors can get autographs of famous drivers and motor racing celebrities, as well as access to the backstage Paddock Area and a paddock guide.